The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria was committed to maintaining bilateral relations on Defence with France.
The Minister stated this when he met with the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, and her delegation at Ship House Abuja.
Badaru stated that Nigeria was ready to improve on the two countries’ existing ties, emphasising that training and technology transfer would strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
While appreciating the outgoing Ambassador for the cordial relationship with Nigeria, he said both countries are strategic partners and promised to further strengthen it to higher levels of operations.
A statement by the ministry’s press director, Henshaw Ogubike, noted that earlier, the Ambassador, Emmanuelle Blatmann commended the Nigerian Government for its warm gesture, love, and trust towards her.
In addition, the Ambassador said that there was the need to develop cooperation in intelligence sharing between the two countries in the fight against extremism, terror movement and regional insecurity.
Mrs. Blatmann said that she has been appointed the Head of African and Indian Ocean at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in France promising that France will cooperate more with Nigeria to deepen its defence relationship with Nigeria.
